Focus: Far and Wide

I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. I do not judge the universe.
-Dalai Lama

What an ethereal photograph. I can see the edge of darkness descending and light ascending! It is also an illustration of my last two weeks of posting the Twelve Nights of Christmas. I would focus on the theme for the day and look for a picture to match my thoughts. What I ended up writing was just a short recapitulation of my thoughts, but it became an omen of the days to come.

Light moved across uncharted territory and I could see well enough to focus far and wide:

• Dec. 25-RECEPTIVITY. What gifts from the universe have you declined to accept or acknowledge?
• Dec. 26-GENEROSITY. Think of three people and what you can give of yourself to them.
• Dec. 27-HUMILITY. Think about how humility can become a great source of strength and power for you.
• Dec. 28-NOBILITY. Make a list of people from whose noble qualities you can learn.
• Dec. 29-SOLIDITY. For 12 minutes, simply feel your soul's solidity.
• Dec. 30-FLUIDITY. Consider the importance of flow to your well-being and happiness.
• Dec. 31-LUMINOSITY. Look back at your darkest moments of the last year, and remember what qualities in yourself and others lit the way for you.
• Jan. 1-REFLECTIVITY. Let an image from the outer world settle in your mind and write down five thoughts you associate with it. Reflect on it and how you might transform it.
• Jan. 2-EQUANIMITY. Pick a recent event and review it in light of various possible emotions like happiness, anger and fear.
• Jan. 3-FECUNDITY. Celebrate the richness of your imagination. Hold this vision and then plan tomorrow's activities. Keep it alive during the day.
• Jan. 4-SAGACITY. Think of yourself as an elder who has learned from the trials and triumphs of experience. What are some profound lessons?
• Jan. 5-UNITY. What ideas, yearnings, themes or insights have come together for you through the holidays?

Photo: Homepages IUS.edu